Issue 113 Term 4, Oct 30, 2020 PIN OAK

OLE WEEK 2020

DOE BIG ISSUE CORNERSTONE Summits and plummets Clothes Are Not Consent Year 10 PEPS CONTENTS HEAD OF COLLEGE’S REPORT

2-3. Head of College’s Report World Teachers’ Day- 30 October 2020 Small gestures make big differences! A smile, a simple thank you ora 4-5 Deputy Head’s Reports heartfelt email like the one I received this week from a Year 12 parent can make all the difference to how members of staff feel about their dedication and commitment to their jobs. With the celebration of World Teachers’ Day 6. Junior Gallery today, I am very grateful and appreciative of the acts of gratitude shown by our Year 12 students and the Parents & Friends. Messages of gratitude and appreciation from the senior students were received by every member of 7. Junior School News staff at Oxley and I can tell you the card I received certainly brought a smile to my face, warmth in my heart and gave me a lift for the day ahead! We Old Oxleyan should never underestimate the impact that small gestures of gratitude can 8. have on others. The staff also enjoyed a morning tea which was provided by members of the Parents & Friends and I am truly grateful for their generosity 9-10 Feature Article and care of our fabulous staff. As Head of College, I feel very blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by passionate and inspiring staff who genuinely care for each student and always strive to do their best as teachers, mentors, 11. Take Inspiration coaches and role models to our students. Women in Leadership Education Conference 12. Big Issue In my role as Head of College and more broadly as an educator, I believe strongly that my role is to grow future leaders amongst our staff and more generally across education. As part of this passion, I recently presented at 13-16. OLE Gallery a virtual conference to young women leaders across to share my leadership lessons and journey. While a different experience to speaking to a live audience, the programme was made richer by having educators from 17. Virtual Gallery right across the nation. It is always a privilege to present to other educators and to share experiences, knowledge and learnings. It was a wonderful opportunity for two of our young leaders, Catherine Dobner and Lara Sheils, 18. Good and Other News to also be delegates at this conference. 2021 19. Duke of Ed. As many of you are aware there is a strong shift of population out of cities into regional areas like the Southern Highlands. Coupled with Oxley’s growing 20. News Flash reputation as an outstanding school, we are attracting strong interest from families moving into the area. As a result, most year levels will be full across the school in 2021 with many of them having waiting lists, especially in the Junior School. Due to the demand in the Junior School, we have made a Pin Oak Team decision to continue with two Year 3 & 4 classes in 2021. The Senior School will remain at four classes in each year level. There are no further plans Student Editorial Team to increase the size of the College beyond these numbers as the Board of Lily Magill, Ava Lambie, Peggy Holmwood, Governors and I are committed to ensuring we maintain the magic and sense Liam Verity, Pearl Bendle, Evie Crowley, India of community which comes from a smaller school like Oxley. O’Brien, Tika Conway, Ella Jackson, Lucy Cavanough Quince, India O’Brien, Esther The Board of Governors and Executive are currently working hard to finalise Rough, Hugh Corbett, Emily Byrne, Olivia Bow, the Masterplan for the College to ensure we have the facilities necessary for Ruby Zupp, Charlotte Florida, Daisy MacDonald, our students to learn, play and grow. Oxley has an exciting future ahead and Peter Kearney I look forward to being able to share the plans when they are finalised. To meet our Vision of providing a broad and liberal education to our students Designers which embraces Enlightened Academic Rigour and focusses on the care of Soph Moore, Lara Fischer, Aiofe Barrett- the whole child within the cultural richness in a Southern Highlands setting, Lennard it is important that our structures, processes and courses support and reflect this vision. Head of Marketing and PR Emma Calver Enlightened Academic Rigour

Staff Editor In 2021, Mrs Kate Cunich will be in a slightly different role as Head of Beattie Lanser Academics & Innovation. Kate will continue to lead learning and teaching across the College K-12 and heighten our focus on innovation and support Oxley College of staff in Professional Learning and growth. Kate will also act in the role of Railway Road, Burradoo, NSW, 2576. Head of College should I need to be off campus and unavailable at any time Ph: 4861 1366 as her role is also K-12. [email protected] As a result of our heightened focus on innovation and staff growth, Kate will be supported by Mrs Catherine Dobner in the role as Director of Curriculum Photography: AJ Moran (Teaching & Learning). She will work with the students and staff in all matters relating to the management of the courses. As part of our commitment to innovation and being at the leading edge of education, we are excited to announce that Oxley will be offering several new courses in 2021.

2 HEAD OF COLLEGE’S REPORT continued

STEM in the Junior School the Senior School and leadership of the Learning and Wellbeing leadership team (Heads of House & School Psychologist). STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) will become a stronger focus in the Junior School as it is imperative As part of our strategy to strengthen the focus on the care that we give our youngest students the opportunity to develop of the whole child we have made the decision to change the their critical and creative thinking, name of our Tutor Groups to Mentor groups to better reflect problem solving and to understand the nature of these roles. the design thinking process. The areas of STEM and Art will be taught by a As our students in each year level reach capacity, it is important new staff member, Mrs Louisa De Haas that every child is known and understood by their Mentors. In who is currently teaching Science at 2021, with an increased number of staff we will introduce a . Expert staff sixth Mentor Group to each House. This will mean that we across the College will co-design this can significantly reduce the size of Mentor groups. Further exciting programme in the Junior information about the process for change is on page 5 in the School to include a range of science Deputy Head Pastoral report. and technology themes including sustainability, regenerative Junior School agriculture, coding and robotics as well as exploring the design thinking process to solve real life problems. In 2021, the Junior School Mrs Halcrow and Mr Ayling will both continue in their respective roles as Head and Deputy of Cultivate - a new elective for Year 9 the Junior School. To support them in their leadership there Cultivate is a unique course which has been designed to will be three Stage Co-ordinators who in addition to being develop deep understandings of concepts that are key to classroom teachers will oversee the teaching, learning and successful regional industries including wellbeing of students within their stage. sustainability, agriculture, enterprise and These three Stage Coordinators will be Mrs innovation. Cultivate will provide students “Cultivate is a unique Lara Sheils (Stage 1), Mrs Alison Rasheed with opportunities to analyse sustainable course which has been (Stage 2) and new staff member, Mr Jason farming practices and emerging trends and designed to develop Smith (Stage 3). Jason is an experienced technologies in the agricultural industry. educator and will join Oxley College in It will involve investigation of innovation, deep understandings of 2021 from Grammar where he has traditional and emerging technologies and concepts that are key to held the role as Director of Studies in their resource management, which leads to Edgecliff Preparatory School for the past successful nine years. Jason is looking forward to an understanding of the need to create regional industries sustainability for the long-term welfare of joining us and will lead and teach in Stage our planet. Students will engage in project- including 3. based learning and create products, sustainability, PDHPE & Sport 2021 systems and environments to solve agriculture problems. Students will understand how As previously mentioned in an earlier their school curriculum relates to industry and edition of Pin Oak. I have appointed Mr practices and the future of innovation and innovation.” Tom Kindred to the new role of Head of enterprise. PDHPE and Sport (K-12). He will lead PDHPE and Sport to ensure we are taking HSC subject Environmental & Earth Science a whole child focus in both the learning and wellbeing of our A new HSC course in Environmental & Earth Science will students. Mr Kindred will be supported in the teaching of commence in 2021 in Year 11. This course explores the PDHPE by a specialist PDHPE team of Mr Keiran Staples, Mrs Earth’s renewable and non-renewable resources and also Jodie Wostencroft (parental leave), Mrs Liane Bull and Mr Dan environmental issues. An understanding of the Earth’s resources Collins who joined us this term from the International Grammar and the ability to live sustainably on the planet is a central School. Another new staff member, Mr Nathan Sievert, will purpose of the study of Earth and Environmental Science. This join the PDHPE team in 2021. Currently Mr Sievert is teaching course provides the foundation knowledge and skills required PDHPE at . to study a range of courses after completing school including The aim is to gain more alignment between what is being Regenerative Agriculture, Environmental Science, Geology and taught in PDHPE and our sports programme. Sport is very Sustainability. Environmental & Earth Science will be taught important to the wellbeing of students and so strengthening by a new specialist staff member, Mrs Melissa Sievert who is our sport area is a priority for the College. Mr Kindred will work currently Assistant Head of Science at Newington College. with the sports administrators, Mrs Kim McNaught and Mrs Care of the whole Child Louise Pike to develop the strategy to strengthen our sports programme and develop our level of excellence. Currently Senior School we have more than 50 teams of students playing sport in the Summer season of the ISA and local sporting competitions To strengthen our focus on the care of the whole child Mr and so it is imperative that we focus on how we can cater for Mark Case will move into the role of Head of Senior School. students at all levels and develop programmes of excellence. He will lead the culture and day to day operations with overall responsibility for the learning and wellbeing of students. In 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting and busy year at Oxley. his role Mr Case will also have oversight of the school’s co- curricular programmes. He will be supported by new staff member Ms Genevieve Whiteley in the new position of Director of Students (Wellbeing & Learning). Genevieve will commence in 2021 and has most recently held a similar position at Cranbook School. Genevieve will be responsible for the management and care of students in

3 DEPUTY HEAD LEARNING

Welcome back to all our students, teachers and families. Term 4 2021 Year 9 Elective Course Briefing and Selection is always almost over before it starts (so much to do in such a Process short time), so at this busy time it is important to take the time to reflect on where we are up to in our Oxley learning journey. In Year 9, students have the opportunity to choose 2 elective courses to include in their programme of study. A short 2020 HSC information session about the 2021 courses on offer and the selection process will occur on Monday 2 November at 5pm via The HSC examinations are already underway, and with ZOOM. The session will be recorded for those not available at fourteen sittings complete, we are delighted to say that our that time. Year 8 parents and students have also been emailed students continue to emerge from their examination venue with the 2021 Year 9 Elective Course Information Booklet which confidence and smiles! Our indicator of success is exactly that provides an overview of the subjects. We are also very excited – not the mark itself, but that students feel well-prepared and to announce the introduction of two additional electives in ready before they enter and emerge with a sense that they 2021 – Cultivate and Japanese. We look forward to continuing have done a personal best as they leave the venue. We are also conversations as students have more choice in their studies. very grateful for the work of our Year 12 teachers who continue to provide support and inspiration throughout the examination Why do we have Yearly Examinations? period. The 2020 HSC Examinations conclude on Wednesday 11 November, 2020. At this time of year, we are often asked by students (and parents) about examinations and their place in a programme 2021 Year 12 Transition of study. We began the term with a variety of experiences to support I always return to purpose – the key elements of skill our new HSC cohort. One of my highlights was the opportunity development and feedback. If we take the former first – I to have an individual consultation with each student, sitting have for many years dreamed that the final test of 13 years of around the table with Ms Dobner, Director of Curriculum and schooling in NSW would look different. Despite my optimism, Mrs Simpson, Year 12 Academic Mentor. We asked the students it remains unchanged – a series of three hour, handwritten about their future plans, whether they need a particular ATAR examinations, based on content, sat at single desks in the range, how their Year 12 programme of study was looking Hoskins Hall. Students cannot speak, are sat in order by NESA and most importantly, how they felt about their writing skills. numbers and are required to show all that they have learnt in Students then received their course ‘dna’ - their rainbow of this manner. colours at this point of the Stage 6 journey. Thus, at Oxley we walk the fine line of rigour and enlightenment, Of particular note was the sophisticated language of learning knowing that while we are focused on developing life-learners, used by students. They were articulate in expression, reflecting the final testing remains archaic and static. For that reason, on strengths and challenges, analysing feedback as they focus we need to build the skills of revision and writing under timed on where they need to go in order to improve. Many have conditions that will enable our students to succeed. already set goals aftertheir Year 11 End of Preliminary Report. A few comments that were shared: At the same time, with our junior students, we talk about evidence of learning and feedback. One of the goals of sitting “To frequently revise the new content after learning it and an examination is that students are able to reflect on their create study/revision notes as I go.” preparation, what they could do better and the key things that will move them forward to the next testing period. Our current “Establish a routine of constant revision so I’m more easily able HSC students have recently reflected on how valuable the Trial to recall details when needed.” was to them - not in any way fun, but so important to test out “I need to continue the good work I’m doing but use my time what they knew and what they still had to do. and resources at Oxley effectively to maximise my potential. I I would encourage students to approach the upcoming exams also need to practise writing under timed conditions and make with that in mind - not a test for a test’s sake, but as an important my ideas coherent and succinct.” building block in the life of a learner. The evidence of learning “The key messages are that I am on the right track but need to is a chance to show what they know and understand on a piece refine my skills and practise more to further improve.” of paper - not because that’s the best way, but because it is a necessary skill for life beyond Oxley’s gates “My work ethic is good in that I apply myself and put in the effort but I need to focus more on the skills now eg. essays as By Kate Cunich, Deputy Head Learning my approach to learning content is not a problem and probably my best asset.” “Going into Year 12 there are two key areas to help me improve in my courses; maintaining my desire to achieve high results and fill and revise any gaps in content. I feel these two points are clear goals that I can strive for.” “Based on my reports I need to further develop a proactive approach to learning. This includes asking for teacher feedback and asking questions whenever I don’t understand something.” “I need to contribute more in class discussions and to revise content more often. Doing more practice questions and practising writing will also help, and start preparing/studying earlier!” “I need to engage more in dedicated and deliberate practice. Revision of class work every day will help to boost my academic results.” 4 DEPUTY HEAD PASTORAL

2. eSafety Commissioner: Important Information about Games, Apps & Social Media

I have written regularly about the eSafety Commissioner Mentor Groups 2021 website (esafety.gov.au) as a source of important information From 2021, Tutors will instead be called ‘Mentors’. Whilst for parents to promote safe and enjoyable online experiences this change of name does not represent a shift in what this for their children. I would like to draw parents’ attention to an important role entails, it better encapsulates the nature of area of the website that deals with key issues around particular the Mentor-student relationship. Whilst the word ‘tutor’ has apps and social media platforms. It is important for parents a primarily academic connotation, the word ‘mentor’ is more to stay up to date with the latest information and are aware holistic and personal – it includes supporting the wellbeing of of the platforms used by their children; some of these sites, each student in the Mentor Group, developing partnership. especially those facilitating anonymous online communication are unregulated and are inappropriate for young people. The role of the Mentor is to: For more information, go to https://www.esafety.gov.au/ • know, care and be an advocate for each student in key-issues/esafety-guide and use the filters to view relevant the Mentor Group information. • establish a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment Paul Dillon – Drug and Alcohol Presentations for all students in the Mentor Group On Wednesday this week, we were delighted to welcome • be a central point of contact for parents and the Paul Dillon to Oxley. Paul Dillon is one of the leaders of drug College education in Australia and has been working in this area for One of the major benefits of our ‘vertical’ House structure is more than 25 years. Through his own business, Drug and the connections across year groups, especially the opportunity Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) he has been for more senior students to mentor younger students; thus contracted by many agencies and organisations across the the term ‘Mentor Group’ is especially appropriate. At Oxley country to give regular updates on current drug trends within we aim to care for the whole child and to ensure that every the community. child in known and cared for. As a growing school, we are now Paul ran workshops with current Year 10 and Year 11 (Year in a position to increase our number of Mentor Groups from 12, 2021) students and conducted a parent presentation via five per House to six per House. This means that, instead of Zoom on Wednesday evening, focusing on teenage socialising the average size of each group being 18 students in 2021, post-COVID and with a view to the upcoming summer period. the average Mentor Group size will be 15 students. With this We have received outstanding feedback about each of these change, we anticipate that average numbers will remain at workshops from students, staff and parents – we hope that approximately this level for the years ahead. We feel that this will be the beginning of a relationship between Paul and retaining Mentor Groups of below 18 students is important to the College and look forward to welcoming him back in 2021. ensure we know and care for each student. We will begin the A hardcopy of his presentation is available on request from process of transitioning to six groups next week, when we will Student Services. survey students in the Senior School about whether they would be happy to move to the new group or prefer to remain in their Further information about the College’s Drugs Policy, including current group. Current Year 12 students will remain in their advice to parents about the latest issues in this area as well as current group unless they nominate themselves to move. useful websites, can be found in Pin Oak Issue 109 (14 August, 2020). ‘Meet the Mentor’ Afternoon: Wednesday 27 January 2021 (Day 1, Term 1) “I believe Paul Dillon provided invaluable wisdom regarding how to act, when to act, and cleared up common misconceptions. In order to ensure that Mentors know each student in their Combined these will help keep us and those around us safe”. care, we will be arranging a special ‘Meet the Mentor’ afternoon on the first day of Term 1, 2021 – Wednesday 27 January - for James Blissett Year 11 all students and parents in Year 7-11. Students and parents “There are few people I have come across who can enthral an will attend a special interview with the Mentor. This is an audience of headstrong teens in a compelling presentation like opportunity to reflect on the Term 4 2020 report, discuss goals Paul Dillon. As he navigated provocative and highly-relevant for 2021 and for Mentors to gain a greater insight into each subjects, he managed to gently inform his audience of how student in their care. We will be providing more information to stay safe and self-aware. His pragmatic tips and anecdotes about this later this term. were an invaluable experience, and his message will be undoubtedly recalled by all in attendance.” Ava Lambie Year 11 Social Media – Latest Developments Christmas Hampers – Donations Please! 1. The Social Dilemma – Netflix documentary The Salvation Army Many parents will be familiar with the recent Netflix Along with the Southern Highlands Christian School, we are documentary, The Social Dilemma. The programme highlights collaborating with BDCU Alliance Bank to provide Christmas how largely unregulated social media companies are able to hampers for those in need. Specifically, we are collecting bon- harvest personal data and target users to maintain promote bons and ginger bread houses. Students can deliver their clicks and hold their attention. Whilst this documentary will donations to Senior School Student Services. be shown in Year 9 and 10 Cornerstone classes in the coming weeks, this programme is as essential viewing for parents of Wingecarribee Family Services teenagers, as it is for teenagers themselves. However, the issues here are complex and it would not be appropriate for As in previous years, we are collecting both hamper items and all students below Year 9; I encourage parents to view the children’s toys for the Wingecarribee Family Services. Due to programme and decide for themselves whether they should health and safety regulations, only new, unused toys can be watch this with their child. A helpful review of the programme accepted. Please do not wrap any toy donations. Students should bring donations to their Head of House’s office. Some can be found at https://theconversation.com/netflixs-the- examples of possible donations: Christmas pudding, long life social-dilemma-highlights-the-problem-with-social-media-but- custard, tinned fruit, bon bons, milo, soft drink, christmas whats-the-solution-147351 cake, cereal, chocolate, fruit mince pies, biscuits, candy canes, jelly, jams, christmas napkins, napkins. 5 JUNIOR GALLERY

6 HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

Weekly Awards Spotlight on: Leadership Learning Journey In the last Pin Oak, I wrote about how we can build our character strengths, highlighting the K: Jordan Pope work of Professor Lea Waters. As we near elections for next year’s Junior School leaders, Yr 1: Lilly Mansour and farewell and thank our Year 6 students for their leadership this year, I want to spotlight Yr 2C: Darcy Jones Yr 3B: Gabi Von Sperl the values that come under the category of Justice. In particular, leadership. Leadership is Yr 3L: Elsie Hopkinson grouped with the values of teamwork, fairness and service, and it is impossible to separate Yr 4: Brayden Anstee leadership from these. Yr 5B: Polly Hopkinson Yr 5N: Olivia Hill I hope that our students come to see that at its heart, leadership is about making a Yr 6A: Finlay Houghton difference and to make the world better than we find it. This often means advocating for Yr 6W: Tina Farhan others, seeking to right wrongs and taking concrete action. To Oxley Values this end, I hope each of our students graduate from the Junior K: Tom Pierce School feeling that they are leaders in their own way and that Yr 1: Heidi Sinclair-Hill they can in fact make a difference. We hope that we grow our Yr 2C: Hugh Pratten Junior School students as excellent communicators, being able Yr 3B: Levi Olsen to influence, encourage and persuade others to help them bring Yr 3L: Madison Chamley about the changes they want to see in the world. Yr 4: Sophia Denington Yr 5B: Tilda Pope Language is important in leadership. We see the way language Yr 5N: Emma Barnett can be used destructively, through online platforms such Yr 6A: Molly Davis as twitter, where some leaders cause harm and propagate Yr 6W: Matthias Willis Junior School Debating ignorance. However, language, including an ability to connect Participation and empathise with others, is also a powerful way to facilitate change and to illuminate the Emily Byrne way for others. Gemma Fraser As part of Anti-Poverty Week every year, I oversee a writing competition, Pens Against Isaac Halcrow Emilie Henderson Poverty. Beginning with my own Year 3 primary school class 6 Louisa Hogan Baldo years ago, and a few local school contacts, and with the help Eddie Hunt of then Children’s Laureate Jackie French, the competition Peter Kearney grew quickly and now includes hundreds of students across Matilda Lambie Australia who through the quiet but powerful act of writing, Saxon Mellish raise awareness of inequality and disadvantage in Australia. We Bronte Morgan wanted people to know that more than 700,000 children are Flynn O’Brien homeless in Australia each year. Over the years, the competition Students of the Week has attracted attention from the media, from politicians and Learning Journey from authors, and I think is because when children speak, it K: Archie Taggert Yr 1: Cameron Bailey carries powerful sway in the adult world. Children are excellent Yr 2C: Fergus Talman truth-tellers. They can communicate with disarming simplicity Yr 3B: Samsara Pout and laser focus, the truth that adults over-complicate, gloss over or distort. Yr 3L: Evelyn Hammond I would like to congratulate and acknowledge Ollie Johnson in Year 4 who participated this Yr 4: Hailey Law Yr 5B: Saxon Mellish year, and hope more students at Oxley will get involved in future years. Yr 5N: Bronte Morgan Shaun Tan wrote in support of the work of our young student writers this year and I hope Yr 6A: Noah Byrne provides a way for our Junior School students to think about leadership: Yr 6W: Tom Bladen Oxley Values Writing can seem such an unassuming, gentle and quiet achievement, seemingly weak K: Piper Winn against so many violent and overwhelmingly negative forces Yr 1: Felix Chamley in the world. But so it is, and has always been, with any lasting Yr 2C: Phoebe Burton Yr 3B: Lisa Mussett fight for compassion and justice- a quiet voice that grows, a Yr 3L: Eli Winn small act of imagination that spreads, inspires. Moreover, a Yr 4: William Coram functional, compassionate society can barely exist without Yr 5B: Estelle Beckett good writing. We should never take it for granted or overlook Yr 5N: Ingrid Lawson its power to sustain balance. Every time a young person writes Yr 6A: Fraser Wilkinson with honesty and passion, even about very dark things, it is Yr 6W: Chris Mansour a flash of light. In fact, especially when they write about dark ICAS Distinction Awards: things, this can be a great act of illumination. Year 4: William Kennedy – Mathematics Our world needs good leaders for the future, who are kind, Year 5: Louisa Hogan Baldo – who are brave and who will advocate for others. I hope Oxley will produce many such English leaders, and that their journey through the Junior School provides a solid foundation for Year 6: Emily Byrne – Science this. By Katherine Halcrow, Head of Junior School

7 OLDOLD OXLEYANOXLEYAN Maggie Cambell-Jones Class of 2013

Now that you’re off in the big wide world, what Were these things that during high school you have you made of yourself since finishing school expected you would end up doing? at Oxley? I have always been fascinated with the natural world and have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pursue those passions. I don’t think I would have After leaving Oxley I worked in England for a year with expected to end up in the Kalahari Desert following the tutors worldwide program – thanks to the persistent meerkats around, but I’m glad that I am. encouragement to apply from Mr Craig. It was a great year and I made some lifelong friends and even spent a good portion of my summer holiday volunteering for a dolphin research crew in Greece. The year helped me How did Oxley prepare you for your future? decide that I wanted to continue studying and working with animals. Oxley helped me develop resilience and gave me an excellent group of friends who always supported me.

When I returned to Australia, I packed my bags and headed to to study a Bachelor of Biological Science, Is there anybody from the Oxley community who majoring in Ecology at La Trobe University. While studying inspired you throughout high school? I worked as a waitress and volunteered for a bunch of Mrs Hanrahan’s Biology classes were always something I different places, including Melbourne Zoo, I jumped on looked forward to, I definitely think she helped me make any opportunity to study overseas and managed to travel the decision to continue studying Biology after High to Peru and South Korea through various study programs. School. I really enjoyed my time at University and decided to stay for an extra year completing honours research on how large bushfires effect our arboreal (or tree dwelling) mammals. What would you say you miss most about being at school? I was fortunate to jump straight into an internship with the Conservation Ecology Centre in Cape Otway after leaving Getting to see my friends everyday without having to University. I spent the next few months along the Great organise it is something I miss! I always enjoyed the Ocean Road, often pulling out weeds and looking for fox outdoor education weeks as well, even when it rained. poo – working in conservation isn’t always as glamourous as it may seem- but I learnt a lot and really enjoyed spending time in such a beautiful place. That internship What would you say to your fifteen year old self? helped me land my current position at the Kalahari Research Centre in South Africa, where I currently work I think I would say always be willing to learn or try on the meerkat project as a research assistant. It is a something new! Also do not let people disregard your very isolated place, but I am really enjoying working with opinions or knowledge just because you are young. It meerkats every day. I am still not 100% sure where the may not always seem like it, but often adults don’t know future will take me, but I plan to continue working with everything, and they should be willing to learn from you plants and animals. too.

8 FEATURE YEAR 10 PEPS

Currently in Cornerstone Year 10 are working on their QUESTION: WHY IS HOMOPHOBIA own Personal Ethical Projects, where we can research any ethical question we choose. Throughout the year group NORMALIZED IN MODERN SOCIETY? everyone has chosen interesting questions that create great discussions, and challenge our philosophical beliefs. Homophobia can be described as the simple dislike or Below are some of the questions people have come up prejudice against people who identify as homosexual with. people. However, homophobia expresses itself in a diversity of cultural, religious and emotional mediums. Whether it be oppressive laws or discriminatory beliefs, homosexuals endure severe discrimination for a biological attraction to the same sex. For example, in the modernized year of 2020, QUESTION: Astrophysics - where to 2.9 billion people still live under laws which criminalise next? same-sex relationships; that’s nearly half of the world’s population and five countries inflict the death penalty for homosexual activity. The stigma surrounding homosexual behaviour around the world is frightening, as even in For my PEP I decided to pursue the interrelationship the 7th most liveable country, Australia has gone as far between Astrophysics and ethics. With such, I endeavoured to question the humanitarian privilege to expect equality to establish a link between right, wrong and fact. My project regardless of sexuality; as per the Marriage Amendment surrounds the idea that for how can we distinguish between (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017. However, I right and wrong if we ourselves cannot differentiate decided to test this manifestation of homophobia within the between reality and imagination within our very universe. boundaries of the ‘Burradoo Bubble” and the discoveries Josh Culleton Year 10 were shocking. Over 56% of my class mates have actively participated in engaging the ‘f slur’ in a derogatory manner (20% above the national average) and over 13% of my peers disapproved of homosexuality. Although everyone is valid and entitled to their own opinion dependent upon their own personal, religious and cultural upbringings, I was shocked by the lack of understanding and support behind the LGBTQ+ community within such a nurturing and protected community and am scared to face the true reality of prejudice within the expanse of the unfiltered world. For example, in the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights; one of the most revolutionary and unifying documents in the last century excludes LGBTQ members from Article 17 ie the right to marry a person of interest regardless of social repression: “Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family”. Arguably, many academia’s contend that homosexuality was not relevant at the time of creating Article 17, however same-sex relationships are not a new phenomenon and has existed prior to the formation of the United Nations. This political ignorance embedded for near to a century only reflects society’s inability to adapt to new conceptions of freedom of choice and the inflexibility of realisation within the rigidity of conservative religions. Emilie-Rose Westlake Year 10

9 QUESTION: What are truths we One pressing truth is that our planet is dying due to our industrialization in the form of climate change. When choose to ignore and why? questioned about why they do not think about this issue or instigate change many people said, “What can I do, I For my PEP project I have been exploring the question; am only one person”. This exact attitude is exactly what is What are truths we choose to ignore and why? I have going wrong. By refusing the truth that each one of us is surveyed many people and a common theme that runs responsible for the position our earth is in and we can all do through all people is that we choose to ignore truths we our bit it is only making our situation worse. Why do many don’t like or that we cannot comprehend to maximize our people say this? It is because people cannot accept the fact own individual happiness. When I interviewed people, I that they are in a way responsible for such a horrible thing asked them 4 questions; What do you define truth as? and do not want to feel bad. What is the truth that means a lot to you? What is the truth you choose to ignore? Why do you choose to ignore this? There were multiple responses but a common answer to “We focus on thruths that the third question was usually to do with people’s opinions of them and how they are viewed by others. This poses maximise our happiness and the question as to how much other people’s opinions weigh on us, and why do we choose to ignore negative ignore the ones that don’t” opinions? If we look at both questions you will find that people’s opinions although we don’t show it has a massive impact on us and therefore is the main truth, we choose This then comes back to the fact that we focus on truths to ignore to make ourselves feel better. Contrastingly when that maximize our happiness and ignore the ones that people were saying a truth that means a lot to them it was don’t. Humans focus on truths that make them feel good massively positive and motivating, one of the responses and ignore the ones that do not. being “Every day is a new day, make it a good one”. Us as humans fundamentally tend to focus on truths that leave Jillian O’Connell Year 10 us feeling good and convince ourselves negative things do not apply to us.

10 INSPIRATIONINSPIRATION

FILM FILM BOOK Mulan The Social Dilemma heading

2020 has been a very busy year for Year 9 Comments Between Us by Clare Atkins is an most and there definitely hasn’t been I think the social dilemma is talking about extremely intriguing novel, telling a any movies being released at the serious and real problems. I think the decision story from three distinct but different cinemas or streaming platforms. When to show it will make a lot of people reconsider perspective. You explore the nature of Disney announced the live adaptation what they do on their devices. Alex Jurgs a Detention Centre for asylum seekers, of the classic 1988 film, many people The social dilemma has made me rethink how where it is Ana first time going to school. were excited to see results as previous I use social media, a simple buzz thought to be You follow her on her journey, discovering remakes of everyone’s favourite movies harmless but instead the start of an addictive the life of an Australian, while getting to years before were great. Originally, phase without your knowledge, this level of know Jono. Jono’s father is the reason Mulan was supposed to be a worldwide precision amazes me and I am shocked by the for their intended meeting, however their theatre release, but to no surprise corona fact that they can do this with a “turn of the friendship becomes so strong, yet with prevented that from taking place and Dial”. Cody Mooney many secrets underneath. forced Disney to premier the movie on It highlights the complex structures that lies Atkins explores the cultural politics in Disney+ across several countries for a behind the social media that we see on our Australia by using personal stories. limited time. Unlike the animated version, phones daily as well as raises awareness of it’s much more serious and intense, with how we need to be conscious of how our This novel made me turn the page, one fewer songs and characters such as personal data is kept secure. The effect of after that other, staying up very late at Mushu the dragon and Li Shang removed. social media can give us short-term dopamine night as I lost track of how long I had It is also a bit more violent than the rush like sugar, but the long-term effects are been reading, which is always what we original and the plot goes on for a while. far worse. Hannah Zupp love in books. However, the special effects were cool My biggest thought/takeaway was that Between Us is a novel for everyone to and some of the action scenes were also the social media companies refer to their read, it opens your eyes to the wider good. Overall, it’s an alright movie, but customers as users and is only one of two world, and shows how cultural diversity, I wouldn’t call it the best live-action film industries that do so; the other being illegal as well as closed gates, cannot hold back that Disney has released. Many aspects drugs. Luca Shannon a friendship that was meant to happen. removed from the original do make it less What we learn in this movie is that our brains It is a must read for everyone eventually. interesting and entertaining, but it could are being manipulated and even rewired be a good watch to check out if you’re by algorithms that are designed to get our Olivia Bow Year 10 looking for something new. attention and make us buy things, including buying into distorted ideas about the world, ourselves, and each other. This documentary Daisy MacDonald Year 8 is an eye opener, and I believe this is a crucial documentary to watch. Bridget Scherek I think that this documentary opens our eyes to the addiction of social media and the dangers that come with it. Georgie Morton This documentary brings light to the division the entire world is facing and makes us question just how many are profiting ($) from the simple double-tap of a finger. For us to be steered like cattle into unfamiliar web-links or exposed to unwanted content is frightening, to say the least, and this document explores social media’s harsh underbelly. Breanna Billett

11 BIG ISSUE

Clothes are Not Consent

The definition of clothes is as follows, ‘Things such as generations. An interesting part of this quote I think dresses and trousers that you wear to cover, protect, regards the fact that rape does not derive from the or decorate your body’. The definition of consent is sight of a ‘midriff, or red lipstick, or an ankle’. Yet, as follows, ‘To freely agree to do something, or allow educational organisations across the world show someone to do something’. As you can observe from their ignorance for they continue to control what the previously presented definitions, there is a clear girls wear due to our ‘provocative nature’, for an lack of common ground, connection or relationship inch of my collar bone is too ‘distracting’ for a XY between them. It would be fair to say that no Venn chromosome to endure. diagram would be satisfied with this pairing. This It has been said before and it will continue to be would be due to the blatant fact, that the fabric we said, we need to foster an environment of ‘don’t drape over our bodies is in no way indicative of the rape’ opposed to ‘don’t be raped’. If you take exterior reactions we receive. Though, it would be anything away from this, know that you have the naïve to ignore the common view stemming from power to change this dynamic and global storyline. the principles of ‘victim blaming’ which aims to beg Don’t shame your teenage daughters for wearing the wrongful question, ‘were you asking for it?’. The their favourite yoga pants, teach your sons to not sting of this phrase never ceases to disappoint. The objectify their peers’ bodies. But most importantly, world in which we live continually calls upon victims teach respect through the importance of boundaries to tell their stories but when it comes to listening and privacy within your home. Overall, “Almost two our ears seem to be blocked; filled with the poison million Australian adults have experienced at least of prejudice. one sexual assault since the age of 15” (AIHW). This number will continue to rapidly rise unless we step up and have those much-needed conversations During my research, I stumbled upon a brilliant however uncomfortable we may perceive them; quote from a Guardian article called ‘Rape is about they are indeed essential. power, not sex’ written by Jill Filipovic. The following quite eloquently sums up sexual assault in regards to its undoubtedly evil foundations: “Rapists don’t By Peggy Holmwood Year 10 rape because they can’t ‘get’ sex elsewhere. Rapists don’t rape because they’re uncontrollably turned on by the sight of some cleavage, or a midriff, or red lipstick, or an ankle. They rape because they’re misogynist sadists, and they flourish in places where misogyny is justified as tradition and maleness comes with a presumption of violence.” This notion of misogyny not only highlights our society’s fundamental failing in shaping such a toxic environment, yet also underlines the undesired building blocks for both present and future

12 OLEOLE WEEKWEEK

OLE! Week in 2020 provided the opportunity to reimagine and Tank competitions. The week was celebrated with an Oxley’s Got rediscover what was possible in our beautiful Southern Highlands Talent competition to help determine the winning teams from this setting. Planning for the week involved exploring the talents of incredibly fun and engaging programme. In the Senior School our amazing teaching staff, incorporating the beauty of the Oxley all students in Year 7 to 10 set out into the local outdoors and campus and engaging our students in fun and energising ways. explored the Box Vale and Mount Alexandria trails or paddled on OLE! stands for Other Learning Experiences and it was universally the Wingecaribee River or Hoskins Reserve. This was followed by agreed that this aim was achieved. mountain biking, adventure races and initiative challenges to keep students outdoors and appreciating their local environment. Year The week began in the Junior School with a focus on Service 8 completed a day of Service Learning with students completing Learning. Students in K-4 made beautiful craft and written messages everything from a 21km Run For Life fundraiser for Ronald for the residents at Harbison Care. The emphasis for Year 5 & McDonald House to nature regeneration with Greening Australia 6 was on decorating and producing beautiful pots for Meals on and cleaning the trucks at the Exeter Rural Fire Service. There Wheels to add joy to the food packages being delivered to the were eight service-learning projects and each one was a shining local community. In the Senior School the House Festival brought example of genuine service to our local community. For students an enormous amount of energy and creative spark to each of the in Year 9 and 10 the focus shifted toward projects inspired by the House Projects: Dance, Drama, Lego, Band and Art. Students were arts, practical skills and life-long learning. This was another chance asked to create representations of their House namesake inspired for our incredible Staff to showcase their passions and personal by the theme: ‘Brave, Strong and True’. The showcase at the end of interests. Tuesday was truly mind-blowing. The students had worked across each project with such focus and collaboration, ably guided by the Our Seniors undertook a similar journey and made the transition newly minted Year 12 leaders, that every House project was a into Year 12 with Well-being Wednesday, Transition Thursday and celebration of expression, creativity and skill. The inaugural House Future Friday. These days engaged the incredible talents of a wide Festival Cup was presented to Florey House. variety of local providers and our academic staff. OLE! Week in 2020 allowed every student to undertake their own journey of personal From Wednesday onwards, the focus of the week shifted to growth and was a testament to what can be achieved if every programmes designed specifically for each year and stage group. person gives their best to contribute in these uniquely challenging K-4 embarked on a journey centred on Discovery Learning times. Thanks, must go to all the Staff involved in making this week with activities including; bush craft, circus school, dance, Lego possible, with recognition to the students who were incredibly engineering challenges and garden planter boxes, amongst many engaged and well-behaved from through to Year 12. others. Students were captivated by the chance to have fun and learn so many different skills. Year 5 and 6 began their Survivor By Christophe Gauchat Challenge which pitted groups against one another in an array of activities including: obstacle courses, Minute to Win It and Shark

13 Junior School

14 Senior School

15 16 VIRTUAL GALLERY

Untitled Alister Hill, Year 10 2020. Graphite on paper This dynamic graphite drawing by Alister Hill of Year 10 is a complex and beguiling work that portrays an array of emotional states. By taking that which is so familiar to viewers; the human face and repeating it, claustrophobically bunched together in a corner, with an array of facial expressions, Alister holds and moves us around the huddled mass leaving us searching for a friendly face. Once we alight on one, we are quickly jolted away by the grimace, smirk or cry of the next in uncomfortable close, Covid unsafe proximity. The uniformity of the heads is used cleverly as a vehicle in which Alister houses the multiple expressions, each relatable and yet many repulsive. In this, there is a game of pull and push between artwork and audience ultimately leaving us stuck in the corner confronting all of which makes us human. By Mark Hetherington

THE U.S.A ELECTION

The big question on everyone’s lips: who will be elected the next President of the United States? However, this question bears far more meaning than simply “Who is America’s next golden boy?”. The result of this election could have lasting impacts on the future of the American economy, ecology and sociology. On one hand, we have Donald Trump who, despite needing no introduction, was a former businessman (yet not a very good one, considering his businesses have declared bankruptcy no less than 6 times) and media show host. On the other, we have Joe Biden, nicknamed “Sleepy Joe” among others. Mr Biden was the 47th US Vice President, accompanying Barack Obama in the White House. What makes these two Presidential candidates different? After all, they’re both old, white men pushing serious political agendas with strong backing behind each of them. What separates these two is not so much a difference in the quality of individual, but rather in ideology. Trump’s Republican Party values the observing of social order, law and order and a ‘free’ market economy, with a particular focus on economic growth by the development and continuation of personally-run businesses operated by citizens of the country involving little to no government regulation. This model frequently fails to accommodate people on the fringes of society, especially lower-working-class people and racial/other minority groups. The irony is that many of these people actually believe that Republicanism will be their saving grace, for no other reason than that it supports the multi-billion dollar corporations which employ them. Meanwhile, they are still living in poverty working seven days a week for a company that cares not for their welfare, but for profit. That’s where the Joe’s Democrats come in. The Democratic Party generally holds far more libertarian values (hence the term “stupid Liberals”) and supports ideals such as equality in economic opportunity including the implementation of more progressive tax structures and social benefits schemes like state-funded health care, social security, decent public education and public housing. Democrats also tend to endorse action on important social issues such as marriage equality, environmental protection and racial equality, to name a few. This strongly clashes with Republican ideologies and policies, creating a huge divide between the voting demographic as many of you have probably noticed most recently with the Black Lives Matter protests. Ultimately, the choice of future leadership is up to the American people. It will be interesting to see the outcome in less than a week’s time. By Hugh Corbett Year 10

17 GOOD & OTHER NEWS

Greening Australia Legends and Legacies: Ben Quilty

About two months ago, I had the good luck of being able to interview Ben Quilty. He On Wednesday of OLE week, a group of Year 8 students picked me up from school and took me to Bernie’s for afternoon tea!! After a while embarked on a tree planting project along the Wingecarribee there, he took me to his studio where I got to catch up with his two children, Joe and River. The original idea came from the Oxley Environment Olivia. Eventually, Ben and I took a seat and I got to interview him. Later on, after the Group who had planned a project to coincide with World interview, he asked if he could paint me. He used ink on paper and was done after 10 Environment Day back in June on the theme of ‘Time for minutes. The painting is being donated to the Junior School. Nature’. It had been on hold due to COVID but with 25 Our term three Unit Of Inquiry subject was Legends And Legacies. We had to choose a willing volunteers, it seemed like a great opportunity to Legend who we thought had a legacy. We looked all over the world for the right legend harness their energy and enthusiasm. for us, but I didn’t need to look any further than Robertson with Ben Quilty a local legend we are lucky enough to know. With the help of Greening Australia, we planted 400 trees Ben was a standout to me. I had previously known him personally, but I had never at the Bray Fields and on private property that borders the realised how much he really does for the world. Just researching him I learnt so many Wingecarribee River. Greening Australia is an Australian things that he does that anyone could do but doesn’t think to do. The legacy of Ben’s environmental organisation, founded in 1982 to protect, life, and which became clear from interviewing and researching Ben, is that through restore and conserve Australia’s native vegetation. One his paintings, he shows all the struggles in the world and through his fame, is able to of Greening Australia’s current initiatives is the Wall present them to the world. He is a great person to look up to. to Wollondilly project. This project is working with the local community to protect and restore critical habitat In my in-depth study of Ben Quilty, I learnt that everything that occurs in your life and improve the health of the Wingecarribee River. Wall has a reason and you should always use it as a life lesson. Ben Quilty showed me to Wollondilly is engaging the local community, farmers that becoming a legend doesn’t come from sport or being on TV, but by being a good and other private landholders, government agencies, person in the world and changing the world for the better. What I can take with me and not-for-profit organisations. The project forms part from this experience is that you don’t need to be a millionaire or the most famous of the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative which is bringing person in the world to be happy but to be happy, you should do what you love, even people and organisations together to protect, link and if everyone else thinks it is stupid. It is following what you love that will take you far. restore healthy habitats across 3,600 kilometres of eastern Australia. During the day we planted ten species of trees Sam Harwood Year 6 including Acacia Melanoxylon, Lomandra Longifolia, Eucalyptus Pauciflora, Banksia Marginata, Acacia decurrens, Callistemon citrinus, Eucalyptus amplifolia, Eucalyptus macarthurii, Leptospermum polygalifolium and Bursaria spinosa.

A special thanks must go to those people who helped make the project happen. Liam O’Connell (Year 10) provided the initial inspiration for the project, Ian Rayner from Greening Australia provided the expertise in the preparation phase and all the shrubs and tools on the day. Ian Royds, a former science teacher at Oxley and Landcare Coordinator provided his time and energy to guide us in our preparation and on the day. We are very grateful to Leslie Pongrass GARDEN INSTALLATION who granted us access to his property to allow planting and to Martin Butcher who helped prepare the planting sites by giving his time to clear vegetation and augur holes OLE Week Project to make the planting more straightforward while the Oxley In addition to the many exciting projects that took place during OLE week, Junior Maintenance Team helped to prepare the planting sites School students began a garden installation project. 8 large planter boxes have been adjacent to the Bray Fields. Finally, Levi Reeves from All added to playground and every class K-4, have planted their own perennial flowering Scale Trees donated mulch which we used for the planting. plant as well as making some curious creatures from clay and wire to decorate in In the coming weeks the Oxley Environment Group is and around the garden beds. Our busy maintenance staff have been supporting the looking at ways we can sustain these links and wider aims students to tend the garden and we look forward to them being in full bloom with art of the project in the longer term. installation creatures in place, in the coming weeks. Please see the progress being made so far in the images included here. By Luke Suttie (Year 8)

18 Back in the Pack

Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Adventurous Journey October 2020 Last weekend two hikes took place as the Year 9s embarked on their qualifying Bronze hike and the Year 10s and a few Year 9 girls including myself undertook the Silver practice hike. Finally, we were all able to get our hiking gear out and hit the trails again after a long haitus. Luckily, the weather was better than expected as we canoed down Minnamurra River under the clear sky on Saturday morning, leading into the afternoon with slight rain. Canoeing was very fun, and the company was entertaining and pleasurable which made 8km go by very fast. We stayed at the Girl Guides campsite on Mt Kiera, which was very nice, but we got a somewhat humorous shock when we set up our tents and hopped inside to discover that bindies were coming straight through the tent. Before dinner we adventured around the campsite. A highlight of the trip was when we were cooking our meals and talking and just relaxing. We got up bright and early the next day ready for the long hike along the coastal track of the Royal National Park. The weather was a bit more unpredictable on Sunday and it was very windy making it hard to walk along the track in open areas. We walked through forest which sheltered us from the wind and we also challenged ourselves by walking up Hell Hole which was extremely steep. Overall, we hiked 13km which all had us exhausted and relieved at the end but also satisfied. By Lara Fisher Year 9

Summits and Plummets

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Adventurous Journey October 2020

Summits and plummets, sun and rain, relaxed evenings and rushed mornings, the Duke of Ed Bronze hike was certainly full of variety. Setting off from Kiama on Saturday morning, we were quick to climb steep ascents and drop down swiftly into beach-dominated valleys, repeating all throughout our journey south through Kiama Heights. One break and a change of leadership later, we began our journey over the Saddleback Ridge. Dominated by steep cliffs and sharp rises and descents, with breaks at the top of the hills becoming regular occurrences, looking over the vast, tree-less, hill-dominated landscape. One such break was our lunch stop, brought forward to eat before the storm, which never came. This interval was the highlight of many people’s day. From there, we set off again over many headlands, moving up and down until reaching Werri Beach at Gerringong. From there, we travelled through the town along roads and footpaths, providing some reprieve from the previous topography. Then travelling along a main road, we descended into Gerroa for the evening. After a night watching the AFL final and torrential rain, the journey continued southward. We entered the dense, forest-covered Seven Mile Beach Natio- nal Park, which would dominate the rest of the day. Stopping occasionally at various picnic spots and clearings, the weather began to worsen, making the environment seem like somewhere out of Southeast Asia. Moving through the bush, the group eventually reached Shoalhaven Heads, our final destination. After a damp walk through the town, we finally reached the boat ramp. Even though there were many changes of mood (both natural and human!) on the journey, one thing for sure, it will certainly be a hike to be remembered. Oscar Greenfield Year 9

19 NEWSFLASHNEWSFLASH AFL WEEKEND SPORT

Gary Ablett Jr; Greatest of All Time/ AFL Grand Final This weekend was the start of the summer season. Due Gary Ablett Jr has well and truly earnt the title as the greatest footballer to COVID-19, we have not started a normal ISA season, of the modern era of AFL. After debuting in 2002, Gary Ablett Jr has however, we still have commenced the start of a summer played over 357 games of AFL in 19 seasons. His accolades further season. Our teams will be playing in another local support his “G.O.A.T” status; as the first Gold Coast Suns captain, dual competition against Chev and Blue Mountains, and the boys premiership player, dual Brownlow Medallist, five-time Leigh Matthews cricket and touch will also be playing against St Gregory’s. Trophy winner, three-time AFLCA champion player of the year award The first weekend back for our girls basketball was abit winner and eight-time All-Australian. There is no doubt Gary Ablett Jr tough, with the Firsts losing to Chev 65-10, and the Inters played up to his name, his father Gary Ablett Sr also known as one losing to Blue Mountains 36-18. However, all the girls kept of footy’s greats for his brave style of game and impeccable marking their heads up high, showing the Oxley spirit until the end. ability. Gary Ablett Jr, cited wanting to spend more time with his family The Firsts boys basketball defeated Chev in a great win, 85- as the primary reason for his retirement; his son Levi Ablett being 47! Great start to the season boys! First cricket started off diagnosed with a severe degenerative disease earlier this year. Ablett well against Chev, however 17 overs into the game, it was played his last game on Saturday, his prolific career mounting in the cancelled by rain. Good luck next weekend boys! Grand Final where the Geelong Cats faced Richmond in a fiery clash; a Senior boys touch played two games, against Chev As and potential win cementing Ablett’s legacy. However, within the first five Bs, they lost to the As (12-3), however finished with a win minutes of the games opening term Ablett was brought to the ground against the Bs (10-8). Unfortunately, Will Dowe did not get as a result of the opposition’s Trent Cotchin’s tackle and clutched at his to play both games, or even much of the first game due to left arm in pain as he was lead off the ground. Despite this, Ablett later dislocating his finger in the first 2 minutes of the first game. returned to the field to rapturous applause helping Geelong to achieve Get better soon Dowey! a lead at half time. The Fairytale quickly drew to a close, as Richmond increased their pressure against Geelong and ultimately took home the For the girls touch, each division of teams played each premiership in a heartbreaking win against the cats. other. Junior B white was defeated by junior B blue (8-3), and junior A blue was defeated by junior A white (6-3). Due By Pearl Bendle Year 11 to many of the girls in the senior teams being away on Duke of Ed over the weekend, they played on Tuesday, senior A white defeated, senior A blue, 8-3, however the game was NRL much tighter than the score showed, both teams playing some excellent touch footy! The result of Sunday’s NRL Grand Final has Well done to all the teams this weekend! It’s great to have been subject to many different perspectives and some sort of season for us all the look forward to. Train hard indeed directions of scrutiny. For some, it was just this week, and good luck for the next game! another fraud of a match to add to the impressive tally of Melbourne Storm “victories”. For others, i t By Liv Bow Year 10 was a well-deserved win orchestrated by arguably the best coach and captain duo of all time. For me, I think a number of ingredients combined to make the perfect Storm (excuse the pun) win. First of all, I think that the Storm came out of the blocks fast. Now, I will note that what must be expected from both these teams in such a prolific match is an extremely powerful performance from the forward packs. I believe this was certainly met, and then some, with the Storm and Panthers forwards combining for 388 post-contact metres in the 1st half alone. Now, the thing is, the Panthers looked the stronger side in this area, and I don’t believe the scoreboard showing 22-0 Storm’s way accurately reflected this effort whatsoever. What I believe what it came down to ultimately was an insane amount of luck on the part of the Melbourne Storm. Yes, there was AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHY certainly some individual flair from backline powerhouses such as Ryan Papenhuyzen with his miraculous try in the opening minutes of COMPETITION the second half. However, let’s be realistic, Storm’s first score came off a questionable penalty try at the three minute mark, they then Earlier this year our Year 7, Year 10 and Year 11 students recorded a penalty goal after an equally suspicious call for “offside” tested their geographical skills and knowledge against against Viliame Kikau, which is not logically possible because he did students from around Australia in the 2020 Australian not receive the ball from his own player but rather from a loose carry Geography Competition. Despite COVID, over 65 800 by Brandon Smith. Nevertheless, Melbourne then scored off a pass students sat the competition and we have a significant intercept finished off by the Flying Fijian, Suliasi Vunivalu (which could number of students who performed to a very high level have easily resulted in a Panthers try at the other end had the pass with 18 students being awarded a high distinction and been properly executed). Finally, to effectively finish the Panthers’ 14 awarded a distinction. In Year 7 Abigail Hunt’s result hopes of a comeback was the dropped-ball try by none other than placed her in the top 6% of students across Australia Cameron “Referee” Smith. Although it was a legitimate score, when in her year level while Mackenzie Kane’s result placed reviewed by the TMO, it too could have had a very different result. him in the top 2% of students across Australia in his year level. Geography is an important subject because it The Panthers bravely attempted to mount a comeback, snatching 4 develops in students a holistic understanding of the world tries in the final 30 minutes. However, the score line in addition to a around them and their place in it and we congratulate all number of silly errors and the ravaging Melbourne defence proved too students who took part. By Ruth Shedden much, bringing the final score to 26-20. By Hugh Corbett Year 10 20